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When it comes to fridges with ice and water dispensing features, it’s only normal that they experience failure from time to time. Still, it can be confusing and frustrating when the same fridge can make ice yet somehow fails to dispense water. What’s going on? Don’t they rely on the same water supply and components to function? If your fridge makes ice but not dispensing water, possible issues related to a Failed water inlet valve, Frozen water line or hose behind the fridge, Blocked union connector, Low water pressure If you’re interested in understanding these issues in greater detail, keep on reading! We’ll look at the components related to this problem, why they fail, and what you can do to fix them! Related: My Fridge Was Leaking Water Inside – Here Is How I Fixed 1. Failed Fill Valve or Water Inlet valveRefrigerators that are connected to a water supply will also have at least one fill valve inside of them. These electrical valves open and close automatically to control the water flow into (and sometimes within) the appliance. Related: Whirlpool Refrigerator Water From Dispenser Is Not Cold All fridges will have a water inlet valve at the back of the fridge that connects to your household water supply. Beyond that, some fridge brands and models also have secondary fill valves within the fridge itself.
These secondary valves typically allow for more control over separate water lines, like one for the ice maker and another for the water dispenser. You can refer to your fridge’s user manual and technical sheets to discover how many fill valves your fridge has and where they’re located. That will make it much easier to troubleshoot them for problems. Why it fails:Fill valves are like little gates that control water flow inside your fridge. It’s possible that the valve on the line leading to the water dispenser is faulty and not opening up fully, assuming it’s opening at all. Suppose your fridge has been in use for many years. If that’s the case, then the likelihood is high that the problem is caused by a faulty fill valve. The valve might not open fully to allow water to flow powerfully through the water lines. However, suppose your fridge is still relatively new. In that case, there’s a possibility that the fill valve is obstructed, perhaps with a foreign object or some kind of buildup that’s stopping it from working correctly. How to fix:When it comes to fill valves, the most effective solution is simply replacing it with a new one. Again, the design of one fridge to another can be quite different. So, refer to the user manual or technical sheet for your fridge to understand how many fill valves it has and where each of them is located.
2. Frozen Water LineThere are several water lines inside your fridge. You see, once the water comes in through the inlet valve at the back of the fridge, it flows through a water line to the water filter. Related: Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working? Here Is How To Fix it Depending on your fridge’s design, separate water lines may go from the filter to the ice maker and the water dispenser. Why it fails:Suppose the fridge is making ice but not dispensing water. If that’s the case, it’s possible that the water line that goes to the dispenser has become frozen, and no water can flow through it anymore. In some cases, the water line will freeze when the fridge’s temperature settings are too low. How to fix:To clear the frozen water line, you’ll need to thaw the ice out from inside. That can be tricky, especially since the water line is usually hidden away within the fridge door or behind some other fridge panel.
Unfortunately, this option requires a lot of time to work. For most people, who don’t have a secondary fridge or freezer to store their food, this is not a practical solution. If that sounds like you, then what you can do as an alternative solution is to purchase water line cleaning kits.
These kits might sound complicated, but they’re usually nothing more than a way to gently pump hot water into the frozen water line. You could even build one yourself with a regular syringe and some small plastic tubing.
3. Blocked Union ConnectorThe water line inside of your fridge isn’t necessarily one very long hose or tube that runs from the inlet all the way to the water dispenser. Instead, it could be two or more hoses that are connected at various points by union connectors. A union connector is different from the standard couplings that you might already be familiar with. What makes a union connector unique is that it’s not a permanent fixture. You can connect and disconnect two hoses inside your fridge as needed if they’re held together with a union connector. Why it fails:Much like a valve, a union connector can also experience blockages. These could come as a result of a long-term, gradual buildup of dirt and debris. Or, it could also be caused by a foreign object getting lodged inside the connector. Whatever the case might be, the outcome is the same: water will not be able to flow through the union connector as smoothly as it should. Suppose your fridge is making ice but not dispensing water. In that case, the water supply to the dispenser may be blocked at the union connector. In contrast, the water supply runs as usual to the ice maker. How to fix:Thankfully, replacing the union connector is pretty straightforward.
4. Low Water Supply PressureWhen the fridge you’ve chosen for your home has an icemaker and water dispenser, the appliance typically connects directly to your household water supply. You’ll find the hose behind your fridge and connected to the appliance’s water inlet valve at the back. Related: Why Samsung Fridge Is Leaking Water All fridges require their water supply to come in at a certain level of pressure. You can refer to the user manual for your fridge to understand what that minimum water pressure is for the brand and model that you have. Why it fails:If your fridge isn’t dispensing water, it’s possible that the water supply pressure simply isn’t strong enough. Depending on your fridge’s design, that low pressure might be enough to supply water to the ice maker but not enough to supply water whenever you try to get it from the dispenser. The cause of that low water pressure can be internal to your home. It’s possible that the water supply line’s valve isn’t opened far enough to allow enough water to enter the fridge. Depending on the plumbing configuration of your home, it might also be possible that the water supply coming into the home is doing so at low pressure. How to fix:Fixing this problem shouldn’t require any tools or spare parts.
Why is my GE refrigerator not dispensing water?A clogged water filter can result in less or no water from your GE fridge water dispenser, so companies recommend replacing the filter every six months. To check if the filter is clogged, you will have to replace the filter with the filter bypass plug and check whether the water flow improves.
How do you reset a GE refrigerator water dispenser?After you change the water filter, the RESET WATER FILTER button must be pressed and held down for 3 seconds until the red light goes off. On some models the light goes out and on others it will turn green; either is considered normal. If you do not hold the button down firmly, the red light will stay on.
Why is my refrigerator making ice but not dispensing?Clean the ice bin (wipe/dry) and replace in proper position. When new ice is produced, the dispenser should operate. Additionally, ice may be jammed between ice maker and ice bin. Take out the ice bin completely and remove the ice cubes.
How do you troubleshoot a refrigerator water dispenser?How to Troubleshoot a Faulty Refrigerator Water Dispenser. Straighten or Replace the Dispenser Tube. ... . Clean Out the Water Lines. ... . Inspect and/or Change the Water Filter. ... . Test the Water Pressure. ... . Defrost the Water Line. ... . Check the Pressure Switch. ... . Inspect for a Faulty Door Switch. ... . Replace the Control Board.. |